The Canadian Construction Association is lobbying Canada's federal government to offer legal status to illegal aliens working in the national construction industry. In a July 18 letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CCA says a booming construction market and more retirements will generate a need for 190,000 new workers through 2015. Existing apprenticeship programs and other recruiting efforts are falling short, forcing some projects to be canceled or scaled back, says CCA. It seeks immigration reform to allow foreign workers to enter Canada on a permanent, temporary and/or seasonal basis "similar to what George Bush wants in the U.S.," says a CCA spokesperson. Looming megaprojects such as Alberta oil sands work, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and a still active residential market are causing big labor gaps, he adds. Immigration Minister Monte Solberg has promised to consider CCA's proposals as part of planned immigration laws changes to be unveiled this fall.